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“Out Loud” should not be required reading for freshman in a required course. I did not take the class myself but had access to the course requirements and the movie they had to watch for the course. This should have been a higher level elective course. If you wanted to teach diversity and tolerance, than you need to do it for every group not just this section. There are still people that are being hated because of the their religion or their skin color, the course should have included more than just gays/transgender tolerance as they claim the course was geared towards. Also from what I understand, at professor at the college wrote the book. If so, isn’t this a conflict of interest? It is different if a person is an English major or a Gender studies major but it shouldn’t be forced upon Freshman.
I have nothing against those who live the lifestyles mention in the book. I believe they are rights and they should be given those right. But, I have taken freshman English courses before and upper level as well. I understand the effort that Upstate was trying to make in regards to choosing this book,there was nothing wrong with what they wanted to achieve-what was wrong was the way they presented it. What was wrong was making it a core requirement for all majors This is an upper level reading book based on a certain subject. The students who did poorly in the class should be given a credit on their account to take another English course with a different subject matter.

My child took the English Course and read the book. The issue becomes a problem when a person cannot read and explore what other peoples points of view are. Through the years;my white daughter has had to read required books related to Black History/racism, Hispanic History/racism, other cultures and their practices that may go completely against what she believes.Even books on inequality of women through the ages. All of these books have broadened her mind and knowledge. If you choose to stay in your box.. you will forever be narrow minded. You do not have to agree with opinions to be open to what their point of view is.
In my opinion USC was only trying to broaden the minds of our young generation. About the rights of people and the discrimination against them. Whether it be religious, color, gender or sexual orientation.

First of all, to the gentlemen in the WLOS news video who called being gay a “lifestyle choice,” I must tell you I’m sorry you are such a clueless, ignorant young man. However, at least you recognize that gays don’t affect you and you will allow them to make their “choice.” I suppose you wake up every morning and “choose” to be attracted to females? I think not… it’s just the way you are.

Even if sexual orientation was a choice, people should be allowed to make that decision. However, it is a well-proven FACT that sexual orientation is not a choice. It is no more a choice than one’s color.

As far as the bill to cut funding to Upstate, this is absolutely ridiculous. (And, another SC college whose students read the same book is also facing the same thing.) The politicians in favor of this bill should be highly ashamed of themselves for going so far with their political beliefs. Wouldn’t cutting funding from the school punish the same students they claim to be “protecting”?

No matter how one feels about homosexuality, this outcry makes no sense. Similar things happen in schools all the time. It is nothing more than a school providing a diverse education to expose its students to a variety of people, cultures, beliefs, etc. White people read books about Blacks and black leaders, Christians learn about Hinduism, atheists read Christian literature, etc. This book about a radio station for gays is no different.

I hope that USC Upstate and its students are not punished for this, and I hope that the university continues to strive to open the eyes of its students to the diversity in our world.

First of all, to the gentlemen in the WLOS news video who called being gay a “lifestyle choice,” I must tell you I’m sorry you are such a clueless, ignorant young man. However, at least you recognize that gays don’t affect you and you will allow them to make their “choice.” I suppose you wake up every morning and “choose” to be attracted to females? I think not… it’s just the way you are.

Even if sexual orientation was a choice, people should be allowed to make that decision. However, it is a well-proven FACT that sexual orientation is NOT a choice. It is no more a choice than one’s color.

As far as the bill to cut funding to Upstate, this is absolutely ridiculous. (And, another SC college whose students read the same book is also facing the same thing.) The politicians in favor of this bill should be highly ashamed of themselves for going so far with their political beliefs. Wouldn’t cutting funding from the school punish the same students they claim to be “protecting”?

No matter how one feels about homosexuality, this outcry makes no sense. Similar things happen in schools all the time. It is nothing more than a school providing a diverse education to expose its students to a variety of people, cultures, beliefs, etc. White people read books about Blacks and black leaders, Christians learn about Hinduism, atheists read Christian literature, etc. This book about a radio station for gays is no different.

I hope that USC Upstate and its students are not punished for this, and I hope that the university continues to strive to open the eyes of its students to the diversity that exists in our world.